Children's safety primary mission for 5th CES Airmen, Seabees

  • Published
  • By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Emmitt J. Hawks
  • Continuing Promise Public Affairs
GEORGETOWN, Guyana --  Airmen from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force and Navy Seabees from Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202, currently embarked aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), refurbished an emergency slide system at the Red Cross Home for Children here Nov. 17 in support of humanitarian/civic assistance mission Continuing Promise 2008.

Established in 1979 in the West Ruimveldt community, the home was originally a convalescent home for sick children in need of nursing care ages six months to five years old. Today, it serves as a safe haven for children who have been removed from their homes by social services due to abandonment, neglect, abuse, or drug addicted parents.

The Guyanese government in partnership with CP officials selected the children's home as one of five engineering project sites to be conducted during the Kearsarge's visit Nov. 9 to 22. 

"We are thankful the U.S. military is here to aid us in our time of need," said Shaneika Bailey, head administrator of the home. "The safety of our children and staff is important. If we were to have a fire or other life threatening emergency, we would be depending on those slides to save lives." 

There are 45 children currently residing in the home and two emergency slide systems constructed of wood beams and sheet metal. Time and weather have worn down the slides making them more hazardous than helpful. 

"We are going to put forth our best effort to ensure these slides are safe and can save lives," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Cutair, 5th CES structural journeyman. "When lives are at stake there can be no mistakes. I am happy to be a part of this particular project."

Bailey explained to the engineers at the site that because the emergency slides are unsafe, fire escape drills cannot be done properly because a child may be injured due jagged metal pieces protruding from the slides. 

"This may be one of the smaller projects, but it is incredibly important; the safety of these children is non-negotiable," said Steel Worker 2nd Class Justin Sasser of CBMU 202.

Kearsarge's mission exemplifies the U.S.' maritime strategy, which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.

The CP Caribbean Phase is the second of two missions to the Southern Command area of responsibility for 2008. The first mission was conducted by USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific.

For more news on CP, log on to SOUTHCOM's Web site at www.southcom.mil.